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Van der Westhuizen Claims Javelin Title at AAC Championships
5/15/2025 11:08:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
CHARLOTTE – The Rice women's track and field team had a great opening day at the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships, claiming two podium visits and advancing several to Saturday's finals. Rice is currently second after Thursday's competition.
Mckyla Van der Westhuizen highlighted the day by defending her conference title in a dominant way, breaking the stadium record with a throw of 54.85m en route to her second consecutive conference crown.
Daphne Mayer closed the night with a bang, finishing second in the 10000m as a freshman, in just her second-ever race for the event. Alex Gobran also made her outdoor season debut by grabbing points in the event with a sixth-place finish.
Saniya Friendly used a personal best time of 23.64s in the 200m to advance to the finals, while Heidi Nielson, Amelie Attenborough and Niamh Collins all earned spots in the 1500m finals.
In the heptathlon, Julia Johannesdottir leads the Owls in fifth with 3182 points. Alice Taylor is currently ninth, with Lindsay Simms close behind in 11th.
Post Meet Reaction - Head Coach Jim Bevan
"I thought we had a tremendous day, starting with the first four events of the heptathlon, highlighted by Lindsay Simms in her fifth year. She came out for the first time competing in a while and had a tremendous day, especially in the high jump. Julia and Alice also added great days. Another highlight was Saniya Friendly running a lifetime best out of lane two in the 200m to advance to the finals with the fourth-best time. In the qualifying round of the 1500m, we had three make it through. Heidi ran a very controlled and solid second place in her heat, Amelie ran and made it through on time (only running for the last two weeks), and Niamh Collins also made it through on time, so I'm thrilled by those three. In the two final events of the day, Daphne Mayer produced an exceptional performance, running like a veteran and separating herself from two Charlotte girls at a critical moment and fending them off for second in just her second 10K in her life. Coupled by Alex Gobran's effort in the race, having not run since January, and running with the lead group for 6000m, and finishing an amazing sixth place. I couldn't be prouder of both of them. The highlight of the day, of course, was Mckyla defending her title and breaking the stadium record. She is continuing her dominance in the sport and in the American Conference. Tremendous first day, we really couldn't have asked for much better."
RESULTS (Top finishers)
200m
4. Saniya Friendly – 23.64m (advances)
1500m
3. Heidi Nielson – 4:30.97 (advances)
10. Amelie Attenborough – 4:35.72 (advances)
11. Niamh Collins – 4:36.99 (advances)
10000m
2. Daphne Mayer – 35:05.67 (+8)
6. Alex Gobran – 35:38.45 (+3)
Javelin
1. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 54.85m (+10)
Heptathlon standings
5. Julia Johannesdottir – 3182 points
9. Alice Taylor – 2952
11. Lindsay Simms - 2878
TEAM SCORES
1. Charlotte – 24
2. Rice – 21
3. Memphis – 19
4. East Carolina – 14
5. Tulane – 10
6. Wichita State – 9
7. North Texas – 8
7. South Florida – 8
9. UAB – 4
UP NEXT
Day two of the AAC Championships resumes tomorrow with the heptathlon at 11 a.m.
Mckyla Van der Westhuizen highlighted the day by defending her conference title in a dominant way, breaking the stadium record with a throw of 54.85m en route to her second consecutive conference crown.
Daphne Mayer closed the night with a bang, finishing second in the 10000m as a freshman, in just her second-ever race for the event. Alex Gobran also made her outdoor season debut by grabbing points in the event with a sixth-place finish.
Saniya Friendly used a personal best time of 23.64s in the 200m to advance to the finals, while Heidi Nielson, Amelie Attenborough and Niamh Collins all earned spots in the 1500m finals.
In the heptathlon, Julia Johannesdottir leads the Owls in fifth with 3182 points. Alice Taylor is currently ninth, with Lindsay Simms close behind in 11th.
"I thought we had a tremendous day, starting with the first four events of the heptathlon, highlighted by Lindsay Simms in her fifth year. She came out for the first time competing in a while and had a tremendous day, especially in the high jump. Julia and Alice also added great days. Another highlight was Saniya Friendly running a lifetime best out of lane two in the 200m to advance to the finals with the fourth-best time. In the qualifying round of the 1500m, we had three make it through. Heidi ran a very controlled and solid second place in her heat, Amelie ran and made it through on time (only running for the last two weeks), and Niamh Collins also made it through on time, so I'm thrilled by those three. In the two final events of the day, Daphne Mayer produced an exceptional performance, running like a veteran and separating herself from two Charlotte girls at a critical moment and fending them off for second in just her second 10K in her life. Coupled by Alex Gobran's effort in the race, having not run since January, and running with the lead group for 6000m, and finishing an amazing sixth place. I couldn't be prouder of both of them. The highlight of the day, of course, was Mckyla defending her title and breaking the stadium record. She is continuing her dominance in the sport and in the American Conference. Tremendous first day, we really couldn't have asked for much better."
200m
4. Saniya Friendly – 23.64m (advances)
1500m
3. Heidi Nielson – 4:30.97 (advances)
10. Amelie Attenborough – 4:35.72 (advances)
11. Niamh Collins – 4:36.99 (advances)
10000m
2. Daphne Mayer – 35:05.67 (+8)
6. Alex Gobran – 35:38.45 (+3)
Javelin
1. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 54.85m (+10)
Heptathlon standings
5. Julia Johannesdottir – 3182 points
9. Alice Taylor – 2952
11. Lindsay Simms - 2878
1. Charlotte – 24
2. Rice – 21
3. Memphis – 19
4. East Carolina – 14
5. Tulane – 10
6. Wichita State – 9
7. North Texas – 8
7. South Florida – 8
9. UAB – 4
Day two of the AAC Championships resumes tomorrow with the heptathlon at 11 a.m.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
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